UP mobilizes in response to Mayon Volcano eruption

The University of the Philippines is mobilizing its resources to respond to the destruction caused by the ongoing eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay.

Through its Resilience Institute (RI), UP sent three experts to Albay last January 24 to coordinate on-ground efforts and provide technical assistance to the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Local Climate Change Adaptation for Development, Inc.

UP’s top disaster scientist and RI executive director Dr. Mahar Lagmay is in charge of coordinating the university’s aid efforts. RI is working with different sectors of the university including the University Student Council, UP NOAH Center, Padayon Public Service Office, UP Vanguard, UP Reserve Officer Training Corps and the Office of Regent Spocky Farolan, among others.

Resilience Institute Executive Director Mahar Lagmay and Regent Spocky Farolan lead a coordination meeting with representatives from the UP MMDA Volunteer Corps, UP Vanguard, TVUP, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya, RAHA Volunteers, and UP Manila PGH for the UP Mayon relief initiative. (Photo by Bong Arboleda, UP MPRO)

UP is now accepting donations—preferably canned sausages and corned beef, dried fish, and empty 5-gallon water containers with faucets—for affected families in Albay. These can be dropped off at Peralta Hall, Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST) Grounds, Ylanan Street, UP Diliman, Quezon City, starting today, January 30, until Saturday, February 3, 2018.

Cash donations will also be accepted at this account:

UP Foundation, Inc.

Account Number: 102270018964

Unionbank Commonwealth Branch

For monitoring purposes, depositors are requested to send a photo or scanned copy of the deposit slip to [email protected]

Volunteers may sign-up at http://bit.ly/UPMayon and a confirmation SMS will be sent.

Inquiries can be directed to the UP Resilience Institute via email at [email protected] or via mobile at (0939) 390 4814 and (0975) 851 3046.

The UP Board of Regents, during its 1332nd meeting, formally authorized President Danilo L. Concepcion to mobilize the UP System in helping the communities affected by the eruption of Mount Mayon.